New Orleans Saints

Former Saints receiver Michael Thomas remains a free agent. Even if he signs a deal in the coming days, he won’t be playing in Week 1.

The NFL has announced that Thomas will be suspended for one game, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. It’s a punishment under the Personal Conduct Policy.

The discipline stems from a November 2023 arrest for simple battery and criminal mischief.

He allegedly hurled a brick at the windshield of a construction worker’s truck at a house in Thomas’s neighborhood. He also allegedly knocked the phone from a person’s hand and shoved him.

Thomas set the single-season reception record in 2019, with 149. He suffered an ankle injury late in the Week 1 2020 game against the Bucs, and his career never got back on track. He missed all of 2021, and he appeared in three games in 2022 and 10 in 2023.

A three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro in his first four seasons, Thomas at one point seemed to be on track for the Hall of Fame.

Running back Kene Nwangwu won’t be joining the Saints after all.

The Saints claimed Nwangwu off of waivers from the Vikings on Wednesday, but head coach Dennis Allen told reporters at a Thursday press conference that Nwangwu failed his physical. He’ll be going back on the waiver wire as a result.

Nwangwu was set to join a running back group led by Alvin Kamara and featuring Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims in reserve roles. They also have Kendre Miller designated for return from injured reserve, but he can’t play in the first four games so the Saints will now have to look elsewhere if they want more help in the backfield ahead of Week One.

Any team can claim Nwangwu, but the nature of his departure from the Saints might make that unlikely.

The Commanders tried to trade defensive lineman John Ridgeway before the 53-man roster cutdowns, and when they couldn’t do it, they held onto him and traded him a day later.

Washington traded Ridgeway and a seventh-round pick to New Orleans for a sixth-round pick, according to multiple reports.

A late-round pick swap isn’t much, but it’s something for Washington in exchange for a player they had decided to move on from. So holding him on the roster for one more day paid off.

Ridgeway was a 2022 fifth-round pick of the Cowboys who was waived early in his rookie season and claimed by Washington, where he has played ever since. Last year he played in all 17 games and was on the field for 31 percent of the Commanders’ defensive snaps and 21 percent of special teams snaps. The Saints will hope he can provide some depth on their defensive line as well.

Running back Kene Nwangwui is heading for New Orleans.

The former Vikings tailback and kickoff returner was claimed by the Saints, a day after the Vikings waived him.

Nwagnu was a second-team All-Pro in 2022. He has three career kickoff returns for touchdowns.

The move reunites Nwangwu with Klint Kubiak. The Saints’ offensive coordinator served in that role in 2021 in Minnesota, Nwangwu’s rookie year. That year, Nwangwu averaged 5.5 yards per carry, albeit in limited work.

The addition of Nwangwu means the Saints will have to create a roster spot. Jordan Mims, currently the No. 4 tailback, could be getting the short straw.

The Saints have reduced their roster to 53 players as of the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday.

New Orleans released safety Jonathan Abram, safety Uno Amadi, guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr., offensive tackle Jesse Davis, linebacker Andrew Dowell, linebacker Khaleke Hudson, offensive lineman Shane Lemieux, receiver Stanley Morgan, running back James Robinson, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, safety Roderic Teamer, and cornerback Joejuan Williams.

New Orleans waived receiver Kevin Austin Jr., safety Millard Bradford, receiver Shaq Davis, offensive lineman Mark Evans, offensive tackle Josiah Ezirim, tight end Mason Fairchild, punter Lou Headley, defensive tackle Jack Heflin, guard Kyle Hergel, tight end Michael Jacobson, defensive back Shemar Jean-Charles, safety Lawrence Johnson, running back Jacob Kibodi, defensive end Niko Lalos, cornerback Mac McCain, receiver Samson Nacua, linebacker Monty Rice, linebacker Mike Rose, kicker Charlie Smyth, and linebacker Isiah Stalbird.

The Saints added four players to injured reserve: running back Kendra Miller, defensive tackle Camron Peterson, tight end Kevin Rader, and cornerback Rejzohn Wright. Miller has been designated to return.

Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and linebacker Nephi Sewell have been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and will miss at least the first four games of the season.

The Saints won’t have one of their key defensive players for the start of the regular season.

Per Nick Underhill of neworleans.football, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders is expected to be out for a couple of weeks with a calf injury.

This could affect how the Saints construct their initial 53-man roster. If Saunders will be back after just two weeks, then New Orleans wouldn’t want to place him on injured reserve, as that would automatically keep him out for four games. But the Saints could look to keep more depth on their defensive line.

Saunders started all 17 games for New Orleans in 2023. He recorded 57 total tackles with one tackle for loss and one pass defense. He was on the field for 47 percent of the club’s defensive snaps.

A Chiefs third-round pick in 2019, Saunders signed a three-year deal with New Orleans in March of last year.

All teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

We’ll be tracking the roster moves that all 16 NFC teams make to reach the 53-player limit by Tuesday afternoon’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. All the moves can be found here:

Arizona Cardinals: Waived or released wide receiver Daylen Baldwin, linebacker Chris Garrett, cornerback Delonte Hood, safety Verone McKinley III, cornerback Michael Ojemudia, and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants. Traded LB Cam Thomas to Kansas City. Waived QB Desmond Ridder. Waived or released WR Andre Baccellia, LB Markus Bailey, LB Krys Barnes, OL Jackson Barton, RB Michael Carter, DL T.J. Carter, S Andre Chachere, WR Dan Chisena, CB Jaden Davis, RB Hassan Hall, OL Marquis Hayes Jr., DL Phil Hoskins, OL Keith Ismael, DL Naquan Jones, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, DL Myles Murphy, LB Trevor Nowaske, WR Tejhuan Palmer, CB Bobby Price, TE Bernhard Seikovits, LB Tyreke Smith, DL Ben Stille, TE Blake Whiteheart, OL Elijah Wilkinson, CB Divaad Wilson, and TE Sage Surratt. Placed OL Christian Jones, RB Tony Jones Jr., and DL Darius Robinson on injured reserve.

Atlanta Falcons: Waived or released DL Bradlee Anae, TE Jordan Thomas, WR Josh Ali, G Zack Bailey, DB Lukas Denis, DB William Hooper, LB Storey Jackson, T Jared Jones-Smyth, T John Leslie, LB Donavan Matin, QB John Paddock, TE Austin Stogner, and DB Trey Laval. Got down to 53 by releasing Chris Blair, Natrone Brooke, Spencer Brown, Dylan Drummond, Prince Emili, John FitzPatrick, O.J. Hiliare, Anthony Johnson, Zion Logue, LaCale London, Jesse Matthews, Kenny Oginni, Jayden Price, Andrew Stueber, Tre Tarpley III, Tommy Togiai, Carlos Washington, Barry Wesley, Dane Cruikshank, Julien Davenport, Demone Harris and Kevin King, waiving/injured Milo Eifler and Josh Thompson, and putting DeMarcco Hellams on injured reserve/designated to return.

Carolina Panthers: Placed RB Jonathon Brooks on the NFI list. Placed EDGE DJ Wonnum and EDGE Amare Barno on the PUP list. Waived or released DT Junior Aho, OT Tyler Smith, DT Ulumoo Ale, G Jack Anderson, LB Aaron Beasley, CB Dicaprio Bootle, G Mason Brooks, S Alex Cook, OT Jeremiah Crawford, CB Willie Drew, OLB Kenny Dyson, TE Feleipe Franks, OT Ricky Lee, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., OLB Derrick McLendon, CB Quandre Mosely, DT Walter Palmore, WR Sam Pinckney, QB Jack Plummer, RB Jaden Shirden, DT TJ Smith, WR Mike Strachan, OLB Luiji Vilain, CB Chris Wilcox, LB Chandler Wooten, G Ike Boettger, RB Mike Boone, S Rudy Ford, TE Jacob Hollister, TE Jesper Horsted, and TE Jordan Matthews. Placed CB Dane Jackson, S Sam Franklin. LB Tae Davis, and LB Cam Gill on injured reserve.

Chicago Bears: Waived or released TE Tommy Sweeney, DB Douglas Coleman, and DL Keith Randolph. Placed WR Nsimba Webster and RB Ian Wheeler on IR. Acquired DT Chris Williams in trade with Cleveland. Waived receiver John Jackson, receiver Peter LeBlanc, offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter, offensive lineman Jerome Carvin, defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour, defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings, linebacker Paul Moala, linebacker Javin White, and safety Quindell Johnson. Released QB Brett Rypien. Waived QB Austin Reed. Waived tight end Brenden Bates, offensive lineman Theo Benedet, offensive lineman Jake Curhan, defensive lineman Jamree Kromah, defensive lineman Dashaun Mallory, linebacker Micah Baskerville, linebacker Carl Jones Jr., defensive back Leon Jones, defensive back Reddy Steward, defensive back Ro Torrence, long snapper Cameron Lyons, and punter Corliss Waitman. Released fullback Khari Blasingame, receiver Collin Johnson, tight end Stephen Carlson, offensive lineman Aviante Collins, defensive lineman Byron Cowart, defensive back Greg Stroman Jr., defensive back Adrian Colbert, and defensive back Tarvarius Moore. Placed Larry Borom, defensive lineman Jacob Martin, and receiver Dante Pettis on IR.

Dallas Cowboys: Waived or released DE Viliami Fehoko, CB Eric Scott, LB Damien Wilson, WR Deontay Burnett, C Cohl Cabral, DB Josh DeBerry, LB Willie Harvey, TE Alec Holler, WR Cam Johnson, LB Jason Johnson, RB Nathaniel Peat, DT Albert Huggins, WR Tyron Johnson, WR David Durden, and DE Durrell Johnson. Released DE Carl Lawson. Traded TE Peyton Hendershot to Chiefs. Announced the cuts of RB Royce Freeman, RB Malik Davis, RB Nathaniel Peat, RB Snoop Connor, OL Josh Ball, OL Cohl Cabral, OL Dakoda Shepley, WR Cam Johnson, WR Kelvin Harmon, WR David Durden, WR Deontay Burnett, WR Tyron-Billy Johnson, WR Racey McMath, WR Jalen Cropper, TE Alec Holler, TE Princeton Fant, DL Carl Lawson, DL Durrell Johnson, DL Viliami Fehoko, DL Albert Huggins, DL Justin Rogers, DL Denzel Daxon, LB Darius Harris, LB Willie Harvey, LB Jason Johnson, LB Brock Mogensen, LB Nick Vigil, LB Damien Wilson, DB Eric Scott, DB Josh DeBerry, DB Josh Butler, DB Kemon Hall, DB Emany Johnson and DB Julius Wood. Placed CB DaRon Bland on injured reserve/designated to return. Moved OT Nathan Thomas to injured reserve. Placed defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad on the reserve/suspended list.

Detroit Lions: Placed CB Emmanuel Moseley on IR and OL Christian Mahogny on NFI. Released QB Nate Sudfeld. Released CB Essang Bassey, WR Daurice Fountain, CB Javelin Guidry, LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe, OT Jamarco Jones, WR Tom Kennedy, TE Sean McKeon, S C.J. Moore, DL Pat O’Connor, DL Kyle Peko, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, and LB Ty Summers. Waived LB Mitchell Agude, WR Maurice Alexander, LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Mathieu Betts, G Jake Burton, WR Jalon Calhoun, OL Duke Clemens, LS Scott Daly, WR Kaden Davis, C Kingsley Eguakun, QB Jake Fromm, RB Jake Funk, S Chelen Garnes, CB Steven Gilmore, C Bryan Hudson, RB Jermar Jefferson, RB Zonovan Knight, TE James Mitchell, DL Chris Smith, DL Isaac Ukwu, CB Rachad Wildgoose, and TE Shane Zylstra. Waived/injured DL David Bada. Placed DL Brodric Martin on IR.

Green Bay Packers: Waived K Anders Carlson. Waived QB Sean Clifford and QB Michael Pratt. Waived or released QBs Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt; WRs Grant DuBose, Samori Toure, Julian Hicks, Dimitri Stanley, and Jalen Wayne; OLs Royce Newman, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, Lecitus Smith, and Donovan Jennings; DEs Deslin Alexandre, Keshawn Banks, Zach Morton, and Brevin Allen; DTs James Ester, Spencer Waege, and Keonte Schad; LBs Kristian Welch, Christian Young, and Chris Russell; CBs Robert Rochell, Kalen King, and Gemon Green; Ss Anthony Johnson Jr., and Benny Sapp III; Ks Anders Carlson and Alex Hale. Waived/injured LB Ralen Goforth, CB LJ Davis. Placed RB AJ Dillon, TE Tyler Davis, DT Jonathan Ford on IR, with Ford being designated to return.

Los Angeles Rams: Waived or released RB Boston Scott, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, WR J.J. Laap, T Blake Larson, C Alec Lindstrom, LB Ochaun Mathis, DB Cameron McCutcheon, G Grant Miller, RB SaRodorick Thompson, QB Dresser Winn, T Matt Kaskey, and DE Carlos Watkins. Placed TE Tyler Higbee on the PUP list. Traded LB Ernest Jones to Titans. Waived OT A.J. Arcuri; G Justin Dedich; RB Zach Evans; TE Miller Forristall; DB Tanner Ingle; DB Shaun Jolly; TE Nikola Kalinic; DB Cam Lampkin; DT Tuli Letuligasenoa; C Mike McCallister; DT David Olajiga; WR Xavier Smith; WR Drake Stoops; DB Jason Taylor; LB Keir Thomas; OL Zachary Thomas; LB Zach Valkenburg; and WR Sam Wiglusz.

Minnesota Vikings: Waived QB Matt Corral, CB A.J. Green, RB DeWayne McBride, TE Sammis Reyes, RB Mo Ibrahim, CB Jaylin Williams, TE Neal Johnson, WR Justin Hall, LB Owen Porter, OL Chuck Filiaga, OL Doug Nester, OL Matt Cindric, OL Spencer Rolland, and DL Tyler Manoa. Placed TE T.J. Hockenson on the PUP list. Placed LB Jordan Kunaszyk on injured reserve; placed OLB linebacker Gabriel Murphy and OG Dalton Risner on injured reserve/designated to return; waived S Lewis Cine, RB Kene Nwangwu, CB Nahshon Wright, OLB Andre Carter II, OL Henry Byrd, OG Tyrese Robinson, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Jeshaun Jones, WR Thayer Thomas, DL Jaquelin Roy, LB Dallas Gant and OLB Bo Richter; released TE N’Keal Harry, CB Duke Shelley, RB Myles Gaskin, DB Bobby McCain, DL James Lynch, TE Robert Tonyan and DL Jonah Williams; and waived WR Malik Knowles with an injury designation.

New Orleans Saints: Released safety Jonathan Abram, safety Uno Amadi, guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr., offensive tackle Jesse Davis, linebacker Andrew Dowell, linebacker Khaleke Hudson, offensive lineman Shane Lemieux, receiver Stanley Morgan, running back James Robinson, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, safety Roderic Teamer, and cornerback Joejuan Williams. Waived receiver Kevin Austin Jr., safety Millard Bradford, receiver Shaq Davis, offensive lineman Mark Evans, offensive tackle Josiah Ezirim, tight end Mason Fairchild, punter Lou Headley, defensive tackle Jack Heflin, guard Kyle Hergel, tight end Michael Jacobson, defensive back Shemar Jean-Charles, safety Lawrence Johnson, running back Jacob Kibodi, defensive end Niko Lalos, cornerback Mac McCain, receiver Samson Nacua, linebacker Monty Rice, linebacker Mike Rose, kicker Charlie Smyth, and linebacker Isiah Stalbird. Placed running back Kendra Miller, defensive tackle Camron Peterson, tight end Kevin Rader, and cornerback Rejzohn Wright on IR. Miller has been designated to return. Placed defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and linebacker Nephi Sewell on the reserve/PUP.

New York Giants: Waived OL Marcus McKethan, DT Kyler Baugh, CB Breon Borders, CB Christian Holmes, S Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, RB Joshua Kelley, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, WR Ayir Asante, DT Timmy Horne, and DB Jonathan Sutherland. Released WR Allen Robinson. Announced they cut WRs Isaiah Hodgins, Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin; TEs Lawrence Cager, Jack Stoll and Jakob Johnson (who also plays FB); RB Dante Miller; OL Jimmy Morrissey, Joshua Miles, Jalen Mayfield and Marcellus Johnson; DTs Casey Rogers; ILBs Darrian Beavers and K.J. Cloyd; OLB Tomon Fox; CBs Darnay Holmes, Tre Herndon, David Long, Jr. and Alex Johnson; S Raheem Layne; and K Jude McAtamney; placed ILB Matt Adams on injured reserve/designated for return; placed WR Isaiah McKenzie (foot) on IR; and waived/injured CB Mario Goodrich, OL Jalen Mayfield and OLB Ovie Oghoufo.

Philadelphia Eagles: Released QB Will Grier, DB Parry Nickerson, OLB Julian Okwara, and G Max Scharping. Placed TE Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. and WR Ainias Smith on IR. Waived or released LB Oren Burks, WR Parris Campbell, OL Nick Gates, OL Matt Hennessy, WR John Ross, OL Brett Toth, OL Gottlieb Ayedze, T Anim Dankwah, RB Tyrion Davis-Price, TE Kevin Foelsch, DT Gabe Hall, WR Jacob Harris, WR Griffin Hebert, DE Tarron Jackson, TE E.J. Jenkins, CB Josh Jobe, LB Terrell Lewis, C Dylan McMahon, CB Zech McPhearson, RB Kendall Milton, DT P.J. Mustipher, WR Joseph Ngata, RB Lew Nichols, OL Jason Poe, TE Armani Rogers, S Andre Sam, LB Brandon Smith, CB Shon Stephens, S Caden Sterns, T Laekin Vakalahi, and WR Austin Watkins. Placed S Sydney Brown on PUP list.

San Francisco 49ers: Waived or released RB Matt Breida, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, P Pressley Harvin III, OL Lewis Kidd, and WR Jontre Kirklin. Waived or released WR Robbie Chosen, TE Cameron Latu, TE Brycen Willis, and QB Tanner Mordecai. Activated S Talanoa Hufanga from active/PUP and placed LB Dre Greenlaw on reserve/PUP. Placed DL Kalia Davis on injured reserve/designated to return and RB Elijah Mitchell on IR. Released OL Ben Bartch, WR Robbie Chosen, OL Chris Hubbard, DL T.Y. McGill Jr., OL Brandon Parker, TE Eric Saubert, WR Trent Taylor, TE Logan Thomas, S Tracy Walker III, DL Nick Williams and CB Rock Ya-Sin. Waived OL Isaac Alarcon, DL Evan Anderson, DL Alex Barrett, DL Shakel Brown, DL Jonathan Garvin, LB Jalen Graham, WR Danny Gray, OL Sebastian Gutierrez, OL Jarrett Kingston, TE Cameron Latu, CB Chase Lucas, S Jaylen Mahoney, WR Tay Martin, QB Tanner Mordecai, OL Drake Nugent, TE Mason Pline, RB Cody Schrader, TE Brayden Willis and CB Samuel Womack III.

Seattle Seahawks: Acquired LB Trevis Gipson in trade with Jacksonville. Announced they waived LB Sundiata Anderson, LB Michael Barrett, DT Kyon Barrs, CB Lance Boykin, LB Nelson Ceaser, OT McClendon Curtis, WR Dee Eskridge, TE Michael Ezeike, TE Devon Garrison, LB Easton Gibbs, OT Garret Greenfield, WR Hayden Hatten, RB George Holani, CB D.J. James, CB Carlton Johnson, DT Mario Kendricks, DE DeVere Levelston, RB Kobe Lewis, TE Tyler Mabry, OG Ilm Manning, LB Patrick O’Connell, S Ty Okada, OG Raiqwon O’Neal, OT Max Pircher, LB Jon Rhattigan, RB Kairee Robinson, WR Ty Scott, LB Jamie Sheriff, WR Cody White and WR Easop Winston Jr.; released S Marquise Blair, CB Artie Burns, LB Blake Lynch and QB PJ Walker; waived/injured TE Jack Westover; placed OT Abraham Lucas, S Jerrick Reed II and NT Cameron Young on reserve/PUP.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Released WR Sterling Shepard. Announced they placed RB Chase Edmonds on injured reserve; placed WR Rakim Jarrett on injured reserve/designated to return; waived DB Marcus Banks, DL C.J. Brewer, TE Sal Cannella, P Nolan Cooney, DL Judge Culpepper, OL Xavier Delgado, DL Mike Greene, LB Antonio Grier Jr., OLB Daniel Grzesiak, OL Luke Haggard, DB Andrew Hayes, DB Keenan Isaac, RB Ramon Jefferson, WR Cephus Johnson III, OL Ryan Johnson, OL Avery Jones, WR Latreal Jones, LB Vi Jones, WR Tanner Knue, DL Brandon Matterson, DB Chris McDonald Jr., OL Lorenz Metz, WR Ryan Miller, OLB Jay Person, TE Tanner Taula, WR Raleigh Webb, RB DJ Williams and DB Rashad Wisdom; waived/injured LB Kalen DeLoach, OLB Shaun Peterson Jr. and DL Lwal Uguak; and released WR Sterling Shepard, WR Cody Thompson, LS Zach Triner, TE David Wells and QB John Wolford.

Washington Commanders: Released WR Martavis Bryant. Waived or released WR Kaz Allen, C Ricky Stromberg, CB Chigozie Anusiem, T Armani Taylor-Prioleau, S Kendell Brooks, WR Mitchell Tinsley, C Cameron Tom, CB Tariq Castro-Fields, WR Brycen Tremayne, T Braeden Daniels, TE Cole Turner, WR Davion Davis, CB Nick Whiteside II, G Julian Good-Jones, RB Michael Wiley, DE Jalen Harris, CB AJ Woods, QB Sam Hartman, DE K.J. Henry, DE Justin Hollins, DE Andre Jones Jr., RB Austin Jones, CB Kyu Blu Kelly, QB Trace McSorley, DT Haggai Ndubuisi, T David Nwaogwugwu, CB James Pierre, LB Anthony Pittman, DT Benning Potoa’e, S Sheldrick Redwine, RB Chris Rodgriguez Jr., WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and LB Chapelle Russell. Placed LB Jordan Magee, DE Norell Pollard, and DT Taylor Stallworth on IR. Placed DE Efe Obada on PUP list.

Linebacker Andrew Dowell is back with the Saints.

Dowell appeared in 34 games for the team between 2020 and 2022, but tore his ACL last summer. He spent the year on injured reserve and the Saints announced his signing to the 90-man roster on Friday.

They also signed defensive tackle Camron Peterson. Defensive back Kaleb Ford-Dement and defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat were waived to open space for Dowell and Peterson.

Dowell was a special teams regular in his previous appearances with the Saints. He had 22 tackles and two forced fumbles in that role.

Peterson spent time with the Ravens after going undrafted out of Southern last year. He tried out for the Saints earlier this year.

When Taysom Hill arrived in New Orleans in 2017, no one was sure what position he would play. Dennis Allen wanted him at linebacker.

Allen was the Saints’ defensive coordinator at the time and is now the Saints’ head coach, and he says he proposed giving Hill a chance to play linebacker but then-head coach Sean Payton insisted that he was keeping Hill on offense.

“Early on we kind of thought about making him a sam linebacker. I’m not kidding,” Allen told Kay Adams. “The head coach at the time wasn’t giving up anything. Now we’ve got him doing so many things now, fullback, runner, there’s only so many places a guy can play.”

Ultimately, Payton made Hill a combination quarterback/tight end/wide receiver/special teams player, and Allen may have Hill doing even more this season. Allen says if the Saints needed him to do it, Hill could be a good pass rusher, but that’s not what they’re asking of him this year.

“Let’s see him do what he’s going to do at fullback, at tailback, at receiver, at tight end, personal protector, kick returner,” Allen said. “He’s got enough jobs.”

Since the Saints drafted running back Kendre Miller in the third round in 2023, he has spent more time in the training room than on the football field. He has had a meniscus injury in his right knee, a right knee sprain, a hamstring strain, a high ankle sprain and now another hamstring strain.

Saints coach Dennis Allen seems to be running out of patience with Miller’s unavailability.

“All I can go off of is what I’ve been able to evaluate and, quite frankly, since we drafted him, there hasn’t been a whole lot of new information other than what I saw on the college tape, because he hasn’t been available.” Allen said, via video from coachspeakindex. “For whatever the case may be. But it’s hard to make that evaluation. Hopefully, we can get him out here and have an opportunity to evaluate where he is. But it certainly makes it a lot more challenging, that’s for sure.”

Miller injured his hamstring in the first individual drill of training camp this summer and hasn’t returned.

The Saints still list him third on the depth chart behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

“He’s talented. I know he’s talented,” Allen said, “but I don’t know if he can learn the system. I don’t know if he can pick up the system, because I haven’t seen him out there.”

Miller played eight games last season, seeing 112 offensive snaps and five on special teams. He totaled 51 touches for 273 yards and a touchdown.